Feb 24 | 2022
New Ships Dubbed ‘The Most Efficient MPVs In The Water’
AAL Shipping has ordered two more of its dual-fuel and methanol ready Super B-Class vessels, which the breakbulk carrier called the “most efficient and competent MPVs in the water”.
An initial batch of four of the 32,000 DWT premium project vessels were ordered in November 2021 following the launch of a third-generation newbuilding plan, taking the total number on the orderbook to six.
The Super B-Class, designed by AAL’s engineering and commercial teams and Columbia Shipmanagement, boasts a clear weather deck space measuring 146 x 26 metres, and features extendable pontoons to beef up stowage space while allowing oversized components such as wind blades to safely overhang the deck.
Once operational, the new vessels will be capable of transporting more than 60,000 freight tonnes on a single sailing.
“The vessels can also sail with open hatch covers, enabling extremely tall and over-dimensional units to be stowed safely in hold space,” said Nicola Pacifico, Global Head of AAL’s Transport Engineering Department.“And, despite significant cargo intake volume and size (vessels will be just shy of 180m in length), the hull design of the Super B-Class will deliver a 6.5 metre minimum draft, allowing AAL to call far smaller and more remote ports, which is perfect for employment on dedicated large projects.”
Three 350-tonne heavy-lift cranes with a maximum lift capacity of 700 tonnes will be capable of tandem lifting, allowing cargo to be loaded at the fore and aft of the vessel. Cargo intake will be boosted by two box-shaped holds below deck measuring 68 x 25 metres and 38 x 25 metres.
In addition to the cleaner fuel options, the vessels will be equipped with modern ballast water treatment systems and a special hull coating for fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions.
“The Super B-Class will meet the highest possible automation and emission standards, as well as complying with IMO regulations on emissions and sustainability for environmental protection,” AAL said.
The carrier has named five of the Super B-class vessels after major breakbulk ports: AAL Antwerp, AAL Hamburg, AAL Houston, AAL Dubai and AAL Dammam. The sixth vessel will be named AAL Limassol after the Dutch town where AAL was founded in 1995.
AAL’s fleet already boasts 25 MPVs ranging from 19,000-33.000 DWT.
The carrier has been headquartered in Singapore since 2009.
